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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Non-CH surgery at end of cycle questions
        
(Message started by: Garys_Girl on Aug 25^th, 2006, 1:35pm)

Title: Non-CH surgery at end of cycle questions
Post by Garys_Girl on Aug 25^th, 2006, 1:35pm

Hi all! Everyone's been so helpful with their experiences, I thought it best to be prepared for this one by asking more questions.

Gary seems to be coming out of cycle, though it's seemed that way for some time. He has constant shadows, and a hit about once a weeks now. Short and K7ish.

Anti-anxiety drugs and pain killers combined with lack of sleep were literally making him nuts, so he detoxed off of everything as of a little over three weeks ago.

He's always had problems with ulcers and other GI issues. He is scheduled to have surgery Thursday to fix the ulcers in his stomach and his colon, the hemerrhoids in his colon, as well as having several large polyps/growths removed from his colon.

In the meantime, the Doc wanted him on paregoric to slow everything down, and gave him tylenol with codeine pain killers. He has taken none of this stuff.

Anybody have any idea what to expect after the surgery? It is outpatient, but he will be put to sleep. And Doc said he will likely have pain afterwards for at least several days.

Any thoughts as to whether the use of anaesthetic may ramp up his CH activity after the surgery? Should he continue to avoid the pain killers? And if the doc wants him to use the paregoric after the surgery, he probably ought to (it's a really super-diluted opium tincture with anise and camphor added to disguise the flavor).

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, suggestions, or if anyone has experience with this.........

Laurie

Title: Re: Non-CH surgery at end of cycle questions
Post by marlinsfan on Aug 26^th, 2006, 9:32am

Hi Laurie, I've read here that some think anesthesia will trigger a cycle in episodics who are not in cycle. I've never had a problem with it (i've had many surgeries, unfortunately). My last surgery, however, did trigger a cycle, at least I think it did. For me I think it was not the anesthesia but the Vicodin they gave me. The cycle started the day after I stopped the vicodin, about 1 week after surgery.

Hopefully you'll get more input from others.

Good luck to you & Gary.
Jose

Title: Re: Non-CH surgery at end of cycle questions
Post by Garys_Girl on Aug 26^th, 2006, 11:04am

I am so sorry to hear that Jose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All I have to say is - UGH!. PLEASE GOD, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Laurie

Title: Re: Non-CH surgery at end of cycle questions
Post by Karla on Aug 27^th, 2006, 12:39am

I have had several 5surgeries and had no problems with the anastesia but this last time I woke up with a kip 10. Luckily before had I had talked to the anastesiaologist and my surgeon about me having ch and wanting a perscription for imitrex on hand in case it was needed. It all went smothly and was aborted quickly.

Title: Re: Non-CH surgery at end of cycle questions
Post by Garys_Girl on Aug 27^th, 2006, 1:54pm

Karla - Gary's never used Imitrex, but that's a great idea! I'll make sure we bring the Oxylites, and I'll have a chat with the nurses.

We did tell the Doc he's got CH, but the GI was essentially unfamiliar with the problem. Don't want them to think he's having a stroke or something if it's just a CH attack. Knock wood even that doesn't happen, but I hadn't thought about bringing the O2 with us. Funny - every place else we go we're prepared, lol!

Laurie

Title: Re: Non-CH surgery at end of cycle questions
Post by Dave_W on Sep 1^st, 2006, 12:53pm

Laurie,

This is just one anecdote, but my experience last month was good. I was mid-cycle, a couple headaches a day when I had my heart attack... I had a really good Kip-10 when they gave me a nitro drip the first night in hospital, but oxygen aborted it quickly. I can't point to any reason why, but that was my last headache. Pain free for a month now.

Maybe all the blood thinners? Maybe my new blood pressure meds? Maybe all the high-flow breathing treatments with oxygen? Maybe just time for my cycle to have been over?

Anyway, best wishes to y'all. Hope it all works out great for you!!!!!!

Dave

Title: Re: Non-CH surgery at end of cycle questions
Post by unsolved1 on Sep 1^st, 2006, 10:33pm

I've been chronic for several years and have also had many surgeries. It has triggered an attack 1 time (out of about 7 times or so). I woke in the recovery room 'freaking out' ... they had the Trex ready and it only lasted about 2 minutes, then I was out again. 2 minutes of pure hell ! I won't forget it.

Be prepared to battle the beast anytime, anywhere 8)

UNsolved